How To Choose Power Adapters and Inverters
Power adapters and inverters are two similar devices that serve the function of converting an electrical current into a form that can be used by a certain device.
To choose the correct power adapter or inverter it is important to know what things to look out for.
Four of the most important things to think about when choosing a power adapter or inverter are:
- The types of current you need
- The electrical ratings of both devices
- The plug and connector width
- The adapter’s polarity
In the rest of this article, you’ll learn about the differences between power adapters and inverters as well as when each device is used. After that, you will learn what key features to look out for when purchasing a power adapter or inverter.
1. What Types of Current Do You Need?
The first and most important question you should ask yourself when purchasing a power adapter or inverter is what kind of current you need. This question is important because tells you whether you need to get a power adapter or a power inverter as they are two similar, but different devices.
A power adapter converts alternating current to direct current. In contrast, a power inverter converts direct current to alternating current.
Out of the two devices, a power adapter is generally considered the more useful of the two. This is because the vast majority of household devices utilize direct current, not alternating current.
Alternating current is the form that electricity is typically in when it moves from the electrical plant to the home. Once it reaches the home the electricity will need to be converted to direct current by a power adapter.
What Is A Power Adapter Used For?
A power adapter is used to convert the electricity from the electrical plant from alternating current to direct current which is what most home appliances and devices use.
Many appliances have a power adapter built into them and can be plugged directly into the power source. If they do not have a power adapter built-in, you’ll need to purchase a separate one.
What Is A Power Inverter Used For?
A power inverter is mainly used to convert the direct current from batteries into alternating current. This means that power inverters are needed if you are running your home from battery power.
Many people that drive RVs will use power inverters because they allow the RV to use electricity by using the battery instead of running off the gas.
2. Matching Electrical Ratings
After you have figured out which type of current you need so you know whether to purchase an adapter or a converter, you need to figure out what electrical rating you need.
Adapter
To do this you’ll need to check your device and see what its voltage and current are. Once you know these numbers you will need to find an adapter that matches these numbers.
If these numbers do not match, you run the risk of damaging the device you’re using the converter on. If the voltage and current of the adapter are too low then this can cause the device to malfunction.
If the voltage and current of the adapter are too high this poses a far more serious risk. If the rating of the adapter is too high it will push too much electricity into the connected device which can cause it to overheat.
This could potentially fry the internal systems of the device or, in serious cases, overheat the device so much that it starts a fire.
Inverter
With an inverter, you’ll want to select one with a wattage that is greater than that of the devices that you need to power from it. This will ensure that you can run enough electricity through the inverter to keep your home powered.
3. Match The Plug Width
This tip especially applies to power adapters. When you go shopping for a power adapter you must pay attention to the width of the connector for the device. You’ll want to make sure that the width of the connector fits snugly with the width of the device.
If the plug width is too narrow then you won’t have a good connection which will reduce the efficiency of the conversion. It can also make it so that your device malfunctions as not enough power is fed into the device for it to run normally.
4. Check The Adapter’s Polarity
One last thing that you should check before making your converter purchase is the polarity of the device. Make sure that you do not skip this step because if this is done wrong, it can permanently damage your device.
The polarity of the device is what determines which direction the device’s electricity flows in and the direction must be the same in both your adapter and device. If not, it has the potential to damage the battery of the device. It can also overload the device with electricity to the point where it increases the risk of an electric shock.
To figure out which polarity your device and adapter have you should just be able to check the device. All devices should carry a tag that states what polarity they have. If not, you should be able to check this on the manufacturer's website.
It is not important which polarity your device and adapter have, it’s just important that they both have the same polarity. That way, the electricity flows in the same direction and there isn’t a risk of an electric shock or internal damage to the device.
Final Thoughts
Power adapters and inverters are both useful devices that can convert electricity between alternating current and direct current. Power adapters are the more common devices that are used in everyday life while inverters are used to run multiple appliances from battery power.
There are four main things to consider when purchasing a power adapter or inverter. These are the types of current you need, the electrical rating of your devices, the plug and connector width, as well as the polarity of the devices.
By keeping these four factors in mind you’ll be able to pick out the perfect power adapter or inverter for your situation.
